mastectomy

nateacher

hey everyone....I just want to know if anyone has had a mastectomy?? and if so what they think abou tthe surgery , was it hard to recover etc. I talke dto someone I work with and they said it was horrible and not to have it if I have choice

betsy43

Hi Nat,

To answer your question, yes I had a left breast mastectomy on Valentine's Day of this yeer. I'd rather have had a box of candy, but the doc thought otherwise. (LOL) The surgery went very well and I had immediate reconstruction at the time. It wasn't bad at all. The expander they placed in for the reconstruction was the most uncomfortable thing about it. However, I've had my last fill in the expander and am looking forward to the exchange surgery for the permanent implant. I had Ductal Carcinoma in Situ. Long name for the best kind of cancer if you have to have it. Had the mastectomy, it was not invasive, also had Sentinel
Node Biopsy which was clear and didn't have to have any further treatment. No Radiation or Chemo. Found it very early and I'm glad I made the decision I made. So was the docctor. Wish you the best, again, it's not that bad.

Betsy43

caaclark

Everyone is different but I had a right side only this past July. Before the mast. I had a lumpectomy with SNB as well as chemo. Following the mast. I had radiation. I did NOT reconstruct so my mast. was outpatient. Again, everyone is different but mine was very easy. Very little pain. I now wear a prosth. and it is so comfortable that I really forget about it until I get undressed at night. In my experience it was definitely not horrible. Recovery for me was pretty easy. Again, everyone is different and I am sure that for some people it is horrible but for me I would gladly trade one boob for my life. I am way more than breasts!

Anonymous

I had a partial mastectomy in Nov. which didn't get clear margins - followed by a mastectomy & SNB 2 weeks later. I'd say the mastectomy was more painful, especially right afterwards in the recovery room. My first surgery was outpatient. The mastectomy I was in the hospital for 1 night and had morphine via IV for pain. The pain was manageable and I was home the next day. After 10 days drains were out. After about 3 weeks I was able to drive my kids to school. About 4-5 weeks I was able to be fitted for a regular prosthesis (wore the soft ones before that point. I haven't had reconstruction yet. I work from my home office so I was back to work in 2 weeks no problem. If I worked in a more demanding job I probably would have wanted a bit more time off. If you have a choice I wouldn't make the decision based on pain/recovery time, I'd worry more about long term chance of recurrence, etc. Feel free to PM me if you want any more details or info.

Jani_

Hi nateacher,

I had left mastectomy with expander in March this year. I wasn't given a choice; my doc said if you're under 35 years old, they cut off not out. If I had a choice? I think I would've done it too. Really considering letting the other (good) breast go as well.

It's really not that bad. Both the breast surgeon and the plastic surgeon told me that putting in the expander hurts more that the mastectomy itself. But I was home in 4 days, had the drain out on the 5th day, and from there just did my post-op excersises to get rid of the stiffness.

I'm with Jan on not making the decision based on the pain or recovery time. Do what's best for you now, and more importantly, for your future.

God bless,
Janine

mibriggs

I had a mastectomy in nov 2005. Surgery went fine and I was not in as much pain as I thought I would have been in.

However I had complications about day 7 post op, because some silly nurse closed the valve on my drains and forgot to free them, so I got a terrible haemotoma and had to go back to surgery to have it removed. (this hardly ever happens)

But all in all pain wasn't like I thought. And I am glad I chose this rather than a lumpectomy, because the tumour was much bigger than the doc originally thought. In fact I have subsequently done a prophalactic mastectomy on my other breast.

Just wondering, did that person at work have a mastectomy.. because if she hadn't she really isnt qualified to give you advice on your treatment options. Coming here with your questions is really wise. The ladies here are lovely and very supportive, and extremely knowledgible

Hun I hope you have a smooth surgery, and sending you tonns of healing energy.
mel
xo

lucyemmons

nateacher, I had a mastectomy on Feb 2 2007. I had bilat with tram recons becausse of strong family history i was out of work for 2 months but have been back since April 1. I had a rough time at first dealing with the drains, but as far as pain, i didnt have as much as I thought i would. i was back driving in 3 weeks (it took 3 weeks cause i had more drainage than normal and so my drains stayed in for 3 weeks) i had the 2nd round of surgery for recons a week ago Friday and went back to work the following Tuesday. All in all i didnt have that bad an experience. GZiven a choice i would do it all over again.
Good luck to you and hugs and prayers,

Lucy
-----------------------------
Life is a highway I want to ride it all night long

helensdaughter

I had a double mastectomy in August 06. I had to have the right breast off due to several tumours and I decided to have the left one off also. I had immediate recon and had expanders put in at the same time.

It hurt like heck and I was on heavy pain meds for 6 weeks however I do not regret it at all.

hugs
Vicky

nancyh

I had a lumpectomy the "first time around" 4 years ago when I was originally diagnosed, and a mastectomy less than a week ago (local recurrence).

It really wasn't bad...not sure why someone would tell you that it was so horrible. I'm less than a week out, so I guess time will tell, but so far so good. I'd say my lumpectomy w/ lymph node dissection was the more disabling part of the deal because you can't lift your arm. Good luck!

gshoemate

I had a rb mastectomy on May 9th. Spent one night in the hosptial, returned home with 1 drain that was removed a week later. I took 2 weeks to recover then went back to work. I wasn't told upfront some of the issues I would deal with (not being able to move my arm as much, numbness in my tricep area, underarm and a little on my side and back, pain in my shoulder blade area). But other then that, it hasn't been to bad. And if removing my breast will prolong my life and I have a less chance of reoccurance.....they can take it and the other one to. I tried to talk my surgeon into removing both but he didn't feel it needed to be done at this point. Some people recover faster then others. But my life is more important then my breast.

Raye99

Hi Nateacher,

While everyone is different, I did not find the mastectomy horrible. I had a left mastectomy in August of last year. 5cm tumor in a small breast (and when the did the mast, they found another small tumor!) - I really didn't have a choice. Well, I did, but I chose the mastectomy and do not regret my decision in any way. I wanted the breast completely gone. My only regret is not having the other removed at the same time, but that is another story.

It was not bad, a little difficult getting around and with the node removal (they removed 11), my arm was stiff for several weeks. Stayed in the hospital overnight (23 hours). Only missed 10 days of work.

Best of luck in your decision. You will know what is right for you.

xoxo
Raye

Courtney31

I am 31 and just had a bilateral mastectomy last Wed 6/20 at 11:30. I came home from the hospital on Thursday at 2:30, took a shower and even washed my own hair. I had reconstruction with expanders and I think that is what is most uncomfortable. Your muscles just feel really sore. I am definately suprised at how good I feel. I have been taking pain medication but only 2-3 per day. I can take 1-2 every 4 hours if I want. If I had to do it over I would not change a thing, plus now I have the piece of mind. Do what you feel is the right choice for you and trust me when I say it was not even close to as bad as myself and my family thought it would be. Good luck to you.

BethNY

I had a lumpectomy first, and during chemo when I realized how high risk I was for recurrence, I decided to have bilaterals with immediate DIEP reconstruction. I wouldn't change a thing if I had it to do over. That was two years ago, and I love my breasts, and have long forgotton about any time I spent recovering.
Oh, and the bonus, no more mammos, and no worries of cancer ever returning in my breasts.

DeannaB

I had mast. on APril 3rd-- I am young, 30 y. o. and it was not bad-- the worst pain was from the expanders not the actually surgery. After 4 weeks things were very easy and I felt good again. I think the younger you are and if you carry the gene it is a no brainer-- we would to stop this before it can even think about coming back....
that;s just me opinion-- but the pain was doable and I could shower the next day if that helps...